Carrying +P, but practicing with standard loads?

[Ninja9]

I don't have enough 9mm +p to do any real testing. I did load a mag staggered with 4 115gr wwb and 4 125gr +p Gold Dots. I could definitely tell them apart when shooting, but the recoil difference wasn't as great as i was expecting.

I am carrying a g-26 with a 3.46" barrel, and would like to carry +p 124gr to make up for the shorter barrel length. My concern is that if i were to ever have to shoot the +p rounds, my follow up shots would be off or slower due to being used to the practice rounds... Wondering if i should stick with carrying standard pressure loads until i can find/afford to practice with +p

Any thoughts?

[Magiccarpetrides]

I would wait til you can fill the mag....just my $.02 You could order some +p+ from doubletap.com

[Guest Matchguy]

You are correct that the increase in recoil might cause less than desirable accuracy of shooting with the +P rounds if you only practice with standard pressure loads. I'd say don't carry anything that gives you a lack of confidence in your shooting, or which will surprize you when the shooting begins. After all, a hit with a standard pressure load is infinitely better than a miss with a +P load. Now having said that, the 9mm is known to be a "load dependent" cartridge, which means its effectiveness can be closely tied to the quality of the load in terms of driving power (velocity) and expansion. So I personally think I'd start saving some shekels and get some reliable defensive loads asap.

Have you considered any of the new JHP rounds made for short barrelled guns? I'm hearing very good things about them and I think that with your shorter barrel, that's the way I'd go. I doubt that it's any more expensive than other defensive ammo. IMHO.

MG

[Guest bkelm18]

I do recommend Spear GoldDot Short Barrel ammo. Its good stuff.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

You are correct that the increase in recoil might cause less than desirable accuracy of shooting with the +P rounds if you only practice with standard pressure loads. I'd say don't carry anything that gives you a lack of confidence in your shooting, or which will surprize you when the shooting begins. After all, a hit with a standard pressure load is infinitely better than a miss with a +P load. Now having said that, the 9mm is known to be a "load dependent" cartridge, which means its effectiveness can be closely tied to the quality of the load in terms of driving power (velocity) and expansion. So I personally think I'd start saving some shekels and get some reliable defensive loads asap.

+1

I'll add this option, for those wanting to stay with standard pressure 9mm ammo and still have excellent performance (yes, even from a short barreled weapon), I'd recommend...

Winchester 147gr Ranger-T

Speer 124gr Gold Dot

Edited April 9, 2009 by Todd@CIS

[Guest Matchguy]

I don't know anything about the Winchester load, but the standard pressure Speer Gold Dot has a very good reputation everywhere I see it being discussed. I'd be willing to try some if I could find it. I shoot several FEG clones of the Browning Hi Power and they don't do too well with +P unless you go to a higher power recoil spring, which makes them very hard to rack. So thanks for the ideas.

MG

[Ninja9]

I really appreciate everyones responses. Starting to lose sleep over this issue

As for the "short barrel" ammo....

All i have seen so far is Gold Dot SB, and it's +p. Midway does have it at a decent price (available for backorder). BUT it's +p.

Todd--

I did manage to score 100 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 124gr. I take it that you have seen reliable data/evidence that these standard pressure rounds will have adequate velocity for expansion in a shorter barrel. That may be the answer for me! At least for now..... If you would be confident carrying these rounds in a g-26, that's good enough for me, man